Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Day 17 - Alone
K's been having a really difficult time sleeping through the nights lately. It's been pretty hard on us. We've been getting between 3-5 hours of interrupted sleep a night. John told me when he got home that he simply didn't have the energy to run tonight, so I'd have to go alone. The sun had just set. It really wasn't that late, it just gets dark so early now! Well, I have no idea where I drew my energy and motivation from, but it was there. I put on some long running pants, a headband, hoodie and my tennis shoes. I took John's phone with me and ventured out alone.
During my first 8 minute walk I searched for and downloaded a stopwatch app on the phone to keep track of my time. 5 minute jog, 5 minute walk, 5 minute jog, and what was supposed to be a 7 minute walk at the end was 11 for me to make it all the way back home. Perhaps I'll make that route fit into 30 minutes one of these days.
During my jog today and two days ago I realized I was imagining running the half marathon right then and it made me feel so suddenly exhausted I just wanted to quit. The thought that I'll never be able to run that long flitted across my mind. I had to mentally take the reigns though and tell myself that this is the very beginning of my training! Focus on baby steps. Don't think about running the half marathon. Think about what I'm supposed to be doing right at that moment. I CAN run for 5 minutes.
I won't say that I loved going out and running/walking, however, I surely CAN say that it was enjoyable. This is a good sign.
During my first 8 minute walk I searched for and downloaded a stopwatch app on the phone to keep track of my time. 5 minute jog, 5 minute walk, 5 minute jog, and what was supposed to be a 7 minute walk at the end was 11 for me to make it all the way back home. Perhaps I'll make that route fit into 30 minutes one of these days.
During my jog today and two days ago I realized I was imagining running the half marathon right then and it made me feel so suddenly exhausted I just wanted to quit. The thought that I'll never be able to run that long flitted across my mind. I had to mentally take the reigns though and tell myself that this is the very beginning of my training! Focus on baby steps. Don't think about running the half marathon. Think about what I'm supposed to be doing right at that moment. I CAN run for 5 minutes.
I won't say that I loved going out and running/walking, however, I surely CAN say that it was enjoyable. This is a good sign.
Day 15 - Broken
I'm having a difficult time getting these posts written on the days they actually occur, even though I'm drafting them in my head on that day.
Today (Monday) my kids were sick with fevers. But I had told myself that Monday would hold no excuses, and so it did not! After dinner we packed the kids into the stroller with the windbreaker on and went out for our first run.
I made sure to grab my watch because my husband's cell phone battery had died. So I looked at the hands and did a quick calculation of what time it would be after we had walked for 8 minutes and we set off walking. My watch hands glow in the dark so I kept holding my wrist up to the meager streetlamp light to charge it. I looked at my watch and made note, "okay, about three more minutes." We kept walking. I looked at my watch again. Apparently time was moving a lot slower than I thought. Still three minutes. We walked for a lot more. Finally, sure that it must be time to start running, I looked at my watch and the hands were still in the exact same place. That's when I realized it was broken! Ha!
We figured we had walked for about eight minutes surely, and John said he would keep track of time in his head. So we started our first five minute run. Then five minute walk. Then five minute run again. When we finished the second run, John counted out loud at the pace he had been counting time in his head. He laughed and said he had probably been counting too fast. I thought it sounded too slow! Well, what mattered to me was that I had ran. I felt good. It was challenging enough, but not overwhelming.
Today (Monday) my kids were sick with fevers. But I had told myself that Monday would hold no excuses, and so it did not! After dinner we packed the kids into the stroller with the windbreaker on and went out for our first run.
I made sure to grab my watch because my husband's cell phone battery had died. So I looked at the hands and did a quick calculation of what time it would be after we had walked for 8 minutes and we set off walking. My watch hands glow in the dark so I kept holding my wrist up to the meager streetlamp light to charge it. I looked at my watch and made note, "okay, about three more minutes." We kept walking. I looked at my watch again. Apparently time was moving a lot slower than I thought. Still three minutes. We walked for a lot more. Finally, sure that it must be time to start running, I looked at my watch and the hands were still in the exact same place. That's when I realized it was broken! Ha!
We figured we had walked for about eight minutes surely, and John said he would keep track of time in his head. So we started our first five minute run. Then five minute walk. Then five minute run again. When we finished the second run, John counted out loud at the pace he had been counting time in his head. He laughed and said he had probably been counting too fast. I thought it sounded too slow! Well, what mattered to me was that I had ran. I felt good. It was challenging enough, but not overwhelming.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Day 13 - Disappointed
long night with baby. wake up early. pump milk. clean kitchen. get ready to go to the temple. temple sealing of friend's family. come home. get family ready to leave. Staheli farm. corn maze. nephew's birthday party. extremely exhausted. 8:30pm. driving home.
This brings me to thinking about 9AM church in the morning (which comes really early) and the facts that:
A - We need to bathe Joseph
B - Joseph only got about 8 hours of sleep the previous night (usually it's at least 10) and didn't get a nap today
C - Bedtime routine of jammies, brushing teeth, reading scriptures and prayer and laying him down to sleep usually takes at least 30 minutes
D - I need to do my own personal scripture study
E - John and I haven't prepared our Primary lesson yet
F - Kaili is super tired and ready for bed
G - I am really exhausted after spending 3-4 hours walking around the farm and the corn maze
... and I begin feeling really overwhelmed at the thought of taking a 30 minute chunk of time out to do my first day of running training: 10 min walk, 3 min jog, 7 min walk, 3 min jog, 7 min walk.
John was very encouraging of me sticking to my training. He was totally willing to go with me. He said things like, "You can't quit now! You've got to stick to it, even when it's hard!"
He had me this close to doing it. But I chose not to. I'm justifying that all the walking around in the corn maze I did counts for my training today. But I didn't run, and I feel disappointed.
(And since I'm posting this on Sunday, I can honestly say I feel good about the choice I made last night. Even though it's disappointing, it would have made my night way too long.)
Monday will hold no excuses!
This brings me to thinking about 9AM church in the morning (which comes really early) and the facts that:
A - We need to bathe Joseph
B - Joseph only got about 8 hours of sleep the previous night (usually it's at least 10) and didn't get a nap today
C - Bedtime routine of jammies, brushing teeth, reading scriptures and prayer and laying him down to sleep usually takes at least 30 minutes
D - I need to do my own personal scripture study
E - John and I haven't prepared our Primary lesson yet
F - Kaili is super tired and ready for bed
G - I am really exhausted after spending 3-4 hours walking around the farm and the corn maze
... and I begin feeling really overwhelmed at the thought of taking a 30 minute chunk of time out to do my first day of running training: 10 min walk, 3 min jog, 7 min walk, 3 min jog, 7 min walk.
John was very encouraging of me sticking to my training. He was totally willing to go with me. He said things like, "You can't quit now! You've got to stick to it, even when it's hard!"
He had me this close to doing it. But I chose not to. I'm justifying that all the walking around in the corn maze I did counts for my training today. But I didn't run, and I feel disappointed.
(And since I'm posting this on Sunday, I can honestly say I feel good about the choice I made last night. Even though it's disappointing, it would have made my night way too long.)
Monday will hold no excuses!
Day 12 - Booking It
(written in my head on Friday, posted on Sunday.)
I've been busy today, but the good kind. I've felt super productive going from one project to another including working on Joseph's costume, cleaning the kitchen, watching neighbor's kids, potty training (which is more of an ongoing project), and making snacks to bring to the Halloween party we're going to later tonight.
The plan was to drop the kids off at the babysitter's around 7 and go to our party at 8. I knew I'd have to get dinner AND a walk in before then, which was quite the task, if you know me well! Amazingly I did. We had spaghetti around 5:30ish. And I went out walking at 6:30 with just my two (almost three) year old.
He wanted to walk himself, but I took the stroller knowing he'd get tired halfway through. He started out running. His little two year old legs ran a good half of the way causing me to have to book it to keep up with him! I kept thinking to myself, "I'm not supposed to run until tomorrow!" It wouldn't surprise me if I walked faster today than I'll be jogging tomorrow!
I've been busy today, but the good kind. I've felt super productive going from one project to another including working on Joseph's costume, cleaning the kitchen, watching neighbor's kids, potty training (which is more of an ongoing project), and making snacks to bring to the Halloween party we're going to later tonight.
The plan was to drop the kids off at the babysitter's around 7 and go to our party at 8. I knew I'd have to get dinner AND a walk in before then, which was quite the task, if you know me well! Amazingly I did. We had spaghetti around 5:30ish. And I went out walking at 6:30 with just my two (almost three) year old.
He wanted to walk himself, but I took the stroller knowing he'd get tired halfway through. He started out running. His little two year old legs ran a good half of the way causing me to have to book it to keep up with him! I kept thinking to myself, "I'm not supposed to run until tomorrow!" It wouldn't surprise me if I walked faster today than I'll be jogging tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Day 10 - Distracted
I have chosen this month to learn a skill I've been wanting to for a long while: SEWING. I'm working on sewing a cute little monkey costume for my son for Halloween. Tonight I was totally into my project. All thoughts of anything else went completely out the window.
Then as I took a little break from my sewing project to take my son potty, (potty training is enough of a distraction on its own!) it got me out of my bubble long enough to realize that I had totally forgotten about my walk!
Well, it was 8:00 PM, so thankfully I still had time to go. We walked our thirty minutes at 9. The whole time I was concerned my husband was going to pass out since he had donated blood two hours prior and didn't tell me until we were already on our walk that, oh yeah... he's not supposed to exercise for like 12 hours. We made it home without any major crises.
Then as I took a little break from my sewing project to take my son potty, (potty training is enough of a distraction on its own!) it got me out of my bubble long enough to realize that I had totally forgotten about my walk!
Well, it was 8:00 PM, so thankfully I still had time to go. We walked our thirty minutes at 9. The whole time I was concerned my husband was going to pass out since he had donated blood two hours prior and didn't tell me until we were already on our walk that, oh yeah... he's not supposed to exercise for like 12 hours. We made it home without any major crises.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Day 8 - Windy
Week two and I'm still being consistent! Yes, I am totally cheering for myself and will continue to do so as long as I continue remaining self disciplined with this training!
Today was another 30 minute walk. It's been super windy all day today. Good thing we have a cover for our jogging stroller.
My question is, did I burn more calories walking into the wind?
Today was another 30 minute walk. It's been super windy all day today. Good thing we have a cover for our jogging stroller.
My question is, did I burn more calories walking into the wind?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Day 6 - Forgetful
I totally forgot to blog on my training day, which was yesterday. BUT, I didn't forget to train! I was supposed to walk for 30 minutes. I walked for 38 minutes because my 3 year old wanted to walk rather than ride in the stroller. It sure is enjoyable going out with the kids at night for a walk. The weather was simply perfect.
And on an exciting note, apparently I'm not alone among my friends in my desire to run this half marathon! I've got three more friends who will be joining in preparing for the race. Wahoo!
And on an exciting note, apparently I'm not alone among my friends in my desire to run this half marathon! I've got three more friends who will be joining in preparing for the race. Wahoo!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Day 3 - Attitude Adjustment
This first week of training I only have to train three days, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Yesterday while walking to my class I found myself thinking, "Yes! I don't have to go out later today for a walk!" And then I realized I probably should change my attitude if I really want to be successful with my mission to run a half marathon. If my attitude is one of dread towards the days I'm supposed to be training... I don't see how that will equate to staying very consistent with it. So, attitude adjustment!
I looked forward to my walk this evening. And it was lovely. I wore a bandana around my ears to protect them from the wind. I walked for 30 minutes tonight. And I did the same route as I did two days ago, meaning I walked fast enough as to shave off 5 minutes!
I'm sure glad I've got another week of 30 minute walks. I'm kind of dreading when I have to start running.
I'll be adjusting my attitude again soon.
I looked forward to my walk this evening. And it was lovely. I wore a bandana around my ears to protect them from the wind. I walked for 30 minutes tonight. And I did the same route as I did two days ago, meaning I walked fast enough as to shave off 5 minutes!
I'm sure glad I've got another week of 30 minute walks. I'm kind of dreading when I have to start running.
I'll be adjusting my attitude again soon.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Day 1 - Couch Potato
I am a couch potato. I have been super sedentary in my lifestyle for at least the past year and it's time for me to change. I do enjoy running when I get into it... it's the getting into it that's the hard part!
Today I was supposed to walk for 30 minutes. I was going to do it earlier in the day with my kids, but then realized the stroller had a flat tire. So I put my husband to work fixing it as soon as he got home. After dinner we all went for a walk together as a family. We walked for 35 minutes.
Unfortunately, about thirty minutes before we left, I suddenly began feeling ill: severe headache and nauseousness. I felt that way all day on Sunday, but today had felt just great until just before the walk. I wasn't going to use it as an excuse though. So I went, head pounding. By the time we got back home I was feeling like barfing so after a quick trip to the bathroom (where I did not throw up, thankfully) I went straight to my bed and took a two hour nap. Yes, a two hour nap two hours before bedtime. When I woke up my head was still killing, so I took a pain killer and after about thirty minutes it has finally let up and ah... what a relief!
I realized as I was walking that I want to invest in a headband to wear around my head and over my ears because the tiny chill in the breeze made my ears hurt really bad and we're not even into winter yet. John said I should wear earmuffs. He made fun of me for wanting to wear a sweatband over my ears because that's not what they're for. I don't care. I want a sweatband over my ears.
Today I was supposed to walk for 30 minutes. I was going to do it earlier in the day with my kids, but then realized the stroller had a flat tire. So I put my husband to work fixing it as soon as he got home. After dinner we all went for a walk together as a family. We walked for 35 minutes.
Unfortunately, about thirty minutes before we left, I suddenly began feeling ill: severe headache and nauseousness. I felt that way all day on Sunday, but today had felt just great until just before the walk. I wasn't going to use it as an excuse though. So I went, head pounding. By the time we got back home I was feeling like barfing so after a quick trip to the bathroom (where I did not throw up, thankfully) I went straight to my bed and took a two hour nap. Yes, a two hour nap two hours before bedtime. When I woke up my head was still killing, so I took a pain killer and after about thirty minutes it has finally let up and ah... what a relief!
I realized as I was walking that I want to invest in a headband to wear around my head and over my ears because the tiny chill in the breeze made my ears hurt really bad and we're not even into winter yet. John said I should wear earmuffs. He made fun of me for wanting to wear a sweatband over my ears because that's not what they're for. I don't care. I want a sweatband over my ears.
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